“We are sending diving teams to inspect the bottom of the lake,” Janson replied. “We hope to have more information in the coming weeks. Compton is a large body of water, and it will take time to determine what happened, but we are confident this was a natural phenomenon. In the meantime, we’re closing the park to the public.”
“Thank you, Mr. Janson. We are also here with Lily Arguson, whose property borders the Lake Compton. You mentioned seeing odd events last evening, Ms. Arguson. Would you share that with our viewers?”
“Two tornadoes spun across the lake! They sort of merged into one and sank into the water. I’ve been here a long time... I ain’t never seen a tornado do that. Then there was an explosion! The water flew up with a lot of orange fire and I just knew it was a bomb. Why would terrorists blow up a lake? Seems kinda stupid. The whole sky was crazy, turned green and orange. When the water fell back, the fire died out.”
“Officials have ruled out terrorism, but until the investigation is complete, and we are sure of the area’s safety, Compton Park remains closed to the public. This is Jim Mortensen reporting. Back to you, Caroline.”
“Pause it, Murph. You in the middle of anything?”
“It can wait.”
“Let’s roll.”
MAX SWUNG THE CAR AROUND the last curve of Martin Street and pulled up in front of what remained of Sylvia’s house. He shot a side-eye at Murph, watching him cross himself. The detectives split up and circled the house, meeting in the back.
“No bodies. Downburst maybe,” Boggus muttered, more to himself than to Murph. “It’s damned odd. There is no damage, tree limbs, leaf matter, or anything besides the house to indicate a downburst. It’s not exploded from the inside out either. Hell, none of this makes sense. And where are they? The rental car is here, what’s left of it.”
Murph rubbed his forehead in the hot June sun, the prickly sense he got when unexplainable things happened was front and center. “It feels wicked off, Max. Something beat the shit out of this house, with precision. Calling the brother?”
“Yup,” Boggus said, phone out. “Detective Boggus here. I’m standing in front of your sister’s house. What happened?”
“No idea. We’re over by Busch Gardens. We got a suite and regrouped after one of Sylvia’s friends texted us about it.”
“Any chance you can swing by the precinct?”
“I don’t want to leave Sylvia. She’s upset. Could you come to the motel? We’re at the Embassy Suites near the park.”
“We’ll be there in forty minutes.”
Theo disconnected and looked at Sylvia. “They know Pirro’s attack on your home is hinky; they wouldn’t be cops if they didn’t see the correlation between the two reservoir attacks. This is getting messy.” Damned Djinns.
“Should we tell them the truth? You said they seem to sense it in some capacity.”
“Sylvia, the number one thing with magic is you never, ever, tell humans about it. The few who have, ended up on the pages of supermarket tabloids. Humans don’t get it, and their instinct is fear. In the grand scheme of creation, magic knocks humans off the top of the food chain.”
Sylvia laughed. “Oh Theo, we don’t eat people.”
“Tell it to the vampires and werewolves, Kid.”
“Those are real?”
Theo looked at her and grinned. “It’s all real. When you make it out to Magic again, it’ll blow your mind. So, no telling the sympathetic cops anything beyond the truth. We didn’t see the damage to your house happen and we know nothing. But, and this is important, we visited the reservoir that day, left when a bad storm blew up and got a room at that little motel last night. I bet they photographed your car’s plate at the park, and I ran a card at the hotel. We grabbed dinner at Pizza Poppas, another charge. Your friend went to your place to check on your dog and texted you about your house. We’re staying here while you regroup. That’s it. Stay disciplined.”
My whole life is upside down! I don’t know what normal is anymore. Rafi left because I sent him away, and Pirro... whatever it was he did, intended to murder him! This is all my fault. I almost got him killed because he defended the water... most likely for me. Sylvia sighed. “Theo, when will we know that Rafi is OK?”
Theo held her gaze, seeing the sadness and confusion. “When he shows up, Honey. He drew a line with Pirro, for you. He’ll return to you if he can.”
RAFI SAT AT THE FIRE, flexing his joints, the healing energy flowing throughout his human form. “I am in awe, Healer. I should not be here. Pirro intended to vanquish me, destroying my life force in any form. Instead, I can walk and function.”
“Rafael, this is the beginning,” Haseya’s eyes were kind, but resigned. “If you shift to any other form beyond this one, you remain injured.”
Rafi stared at the fire before gazing up at her. “What are my options?”
“We can continue the work to repair you. I believe I can restore your full function. It will not be pleasant.”
“What must I do?”
Haseya lifted the pot from her fire and poured the broth into a bowl. “Drink this. When you are ready, shift to a very large snake. They have about four hundred bones. I will heal the broken ones and assess your organs as a reptile. Afterward, you’ll shift into mammals, birds, and mythical creatures until you display no sense of brokenness.”
“Brother, you chose well,” Rafi murmured, the broth working.
“I did not choose, the Universe presented, Brother,” Zayn replied, eyes holding Haseya’s. “When it does, be bold and love with entirety.”
“I stand at these same crossroads. I accepted death as the cost.” Rafi set the bowl down, meeting Haseya’s eyes. “I am ready, Healer.”
He shifted, welcoming the pain.
SHE LOOKS LIKE SHIT. “Ms. Bravian. You’ve gone through a hell of a time. Not even two weeks.”
“Detective Boggus, I can say with candor I wish our paths had never crossed.” Unbidden, tears welled up and Sylvia fumbled for her purse, laying on the coffee table in front of the sofa, seeking a tissue. “It’s all just stuff, but it meant something.”
“I’m surprised you aren’t there picking through it all,” Murphy said, watching her reaction.
“I thought it was too un-n-stable.” The pressure of the past twelve days landed on Sylvia like a load of bricks, and her weeping filled the little suite.
Theo joined her on the sofa and hugged her. Boggus fetched a box of Kleenex from the bathroom, looking around. Nothing but hotel-supplied toiletries. He gave the two queens in the separate bedroom a cursory glance. No luggage. A small pile of new clothes and underwear with tags lay on each bed.
Theo took the tissues and passed one to Sylvia. “I’m sorry to add to your day by asking you to make the drive over,” Theo said, his voice low, “but she’s been on the brink all day.”
“Have to ask, where were you yesterday?”
“We were home for most of it but drove out to Compton yesterday afternoon. Sylvia said it was a beautiful lake and, because of the gator scare, uncrowded. We arrived, but the weather got weird, so we left. On a whim, we grabbed a hotel, had dinner and some beers. Her friend Tina went to get Puddles this morning and let her know about the house. She’s been on the phone with her renter’s insurance and her landlord all day.”
“Your rental car took a beating.”
“Yeah, Tina sent a picture. Glad I bought the insurance. Seemed like a waste but I’m lucky I did it. I called them today. They said they’d send an adjuster out tomorrow.”
“When do you return to Magic?”
“I’m taking more time. She needs support and I have a ton of accrued vacation time. Our parents are deceased. I’m it for family.”
Murphy and Boggus exchanged looks and Murph stopped his recording.
“Any idea what‘s happening here, Theo?”
“I’m no geologist, I don’t know what you’re dealing with underground. Florida has a rep for storms. The news had a lady saying ther
e were tornados. Glad we left the lake when we did.”
“There’s no damage anywhere on Martin Street except the house and car. Zero. Not even a broken limb. It’s like Mother Nature has it in for Sylvia. Shit’s not adding up, Theo.”
Rogue Djinns never do. Theo raised he shoulders in a shrug, holding Boggus’ eyes in an icy-blue stare. “It’s not, but I’ve got no damn idea what’s going on. She’s overwhelmed, so I’m sticking close.”
“You see anything weird or unusual, you call us,” Murphy said, rising. “Anything.”
In the elevator, the detectives exchanged a look. “He’s not lying,” Boggus said. “They landed here with the clothes on their backs.”
“No, he’s not,” Murph agreed. But, this is setting my senses off, my damn head has been prickling all day. Nothing adds up here.
Chapter Thirteen
Haseya and Zayn laughed as Rafi changed from dragon to bear to alligator to heron, then into combinations of various animals. He finished the performance with an elephant body sporting lobster claws, capped with a griffin head and a vibrating rattlesnake tail. He assumed his human form and knelt across the fire from them, head bowed.
“I am in your debt, Haseya. Because of your skills, my form is more powerful than before.”
“That is love,” Zayn told him with a serious look. “It’s a level of power Pirro cannot tap or use because he is not aware it exists. He believes it is a human weakness.”
“Love is greater than vengeance,” Haseya agreed, giving Rafi a rare smile. “Are you ready to return?”
“Yes. My Brother,” he said, clasping Zayn’s hand in both of his. “I hope we meet again.”
“Be mighty, Brother.”
Haseya held her hand out to Rafi, and stepped into her twirl, returning him to the world he left.
RAFI’S SMOKE DRIFTED through the wreckage, across the ruined bed they shared, before rising unseen into the night sky. Where is she? He blew across the sky to O’Leary’s Pub, where he’d left clothes on the roof, looking for answers. Dressed, he skinned down the fire ladder and walked in the unlocked back door.
“Sean.”
“Rafi. I was thinking you’d split for good.”
“I cannot stay long, but I will help you for a few hours. Have you seen Sylvia?”
“She came in, what, the day before last, I think. She was asking for you.”
“I’ll get everything sorted in the back room.” The room was full of kegs, and Rafi set the place right, reveling in his healthy form. I am blessed to have lived, and grateful for Theo’s intervention. Within the hour, the back end of the bar was clean and organized.
Rafi stocked the last of the glassware. The jingle announced Tina, who walked in, did a double take and ran to the bar. “Sly said you were hurt. I’m so glad to see you are OK!”
Sean shot him a side-eye as Rafi nodded, lifting the pass-through and joining Tina.
“Thank you. Where is Sylvia?”
“She and Theo are staying up near Busch Gardens, at an Embassy Suites by the park. MP is with me. Sly’s trying to sort out what to do with her house. A tornado hit it!”
One named Pirro.
“I would like to see her. Would you tell her I will come by later? I do not have a phone.”
“I’ll text her right now!”
“Would you like a Cosmos?”
“Perfect!”
Rafi mixed the drink, sensing Sean waiting. He passed through, setting the drink down and looking at Tina.
“She’s thrilled, and yes, they are in room 518. Go when you can.”
“Thank you, Tina.”
“Accident?” Sean asked.
“Fight,” Rafi answered with a half grin. “I have a brother with anger issues.”
“There’s one in every family, at least in every Irish one.” Sean laughed, moving to greet a new customer sitting down at the bar.
AT NINE, HE LEFT O’LEARY’S, returning to his hotel and getting a replacement key from the front desk. The room was as he left it. He changed, getting extra cash, then called a car and headed across town. A stroll into her hotel naked isn’t the low key profile I need to keep, although I’m tempted.
Sylvia flung the door open on his first tap and launched into his arms. He held her, every curve fitting. Her scent filled him. His lips touched hers in the softest of kisses; gratitude coursed, electric within him, that he was still here to do so. Her arms and legs remained locked around him; with a low laugh, he carried her back inside the room and sat on the sofa, still in her embrace.
“I think she’s fond of you,” Theo said from the chair with a little grin.
“Perhaps she won’t banish me this time,” Rafi agreed, holding her close, letting her relax into him. He smoothed her back, fingertips following every rib.
“Welcome back, Brother.”
“I owe you an unpayable debt, Theo, for sending me to your healer. Haseya pulled me from death’s grip.”
“She’s unusual.” Theo leaned forward, shaking his head. “Rafi, I wondered, is tornadic how Djinns fight? I’ve seen a lot, but nothing like that. The air was crunchy with magic.”
“It is one way. Pirro did not intend for me to survive.”
“The damage to your body... man, your will is strong, Brother. I have to ask, did you call for Sylvia when Pirro threw you onto the beach?”
“No. Pirro broke my neck and throat, so I had to shift to smoke because breathing was almost impossible. My human form was so twisted, I struggled to make it into your car. My sole thought was to find Sylvia.”
“I guessed the voice might be Pirro’s. I expected a trick.”
“Well, he is Djinn,” Rafi laughed, and Theo joined him.
“I’ve gone around a few times with Zayn, perhaps sometime we’ll swap stories. There’s a bar in the hotel lobby; I’m going downstairs for a couple of hours. It’ll be full of people so I’ll be fine. You two, uh, catch up.”
Sylvia pulled her head out of Rafi’s neck long enough to give Theo a smile. The door closed with a decisive click.
“Rafi, I’ve hated myself for sending you away.”
His fingertips followed her lips, lingering, before tracing down her chin and across her throat. He slid both hands over her slim shoulders; he laced his long fingers into her jumbled blond curls, pulling her mouth to his. Against her lips, he said, “I was angry, but in hindsight, my love, you were right. When you take a stand for principle, it’s a strength, not a shame.”
“You stood up to Pirro. I was so scared. I threw up in the grass!”
“You are under a spell, love, and it’s a powerful one. Puddles is too. Whoever cast them is a strong witch. My guess is that Pirro has a hard time sensing you, which is why he called your name, hoping to draw you out and kill you.”
“We have to stop him, Rafi. He’s lost his mind.”
“Worse. He’s lost his purpose, love, and no longer respects the moral imperative of the Djinn. Pirro casts it away, certain God will not punish him.”
Her eyes shone, topaz waters, and Rafi felt the pull of her, the whirlpool she was for him, binding him to her eddy. Cock filling, he raked gentle hands through the blond curls that fell to her waist, hands landing on her hips, and sliding her hips across his cock, watching her eyes, flowing into her seas.
Her grinding rhythm established, he unbuttoned her shirt, running his fingers across her skin as he exposed it, then sliding the cotton back off her shoulders, pinning her arms with the shirt as he took her mouth, loving her eagerness. A quick snap of the front of her bra and the clothes slid off her arms onto the floor as he lifted her hips, flipping her onto the sofa.
Her laughter filled his ears as he burrowed his head into her neck. “Rafi, you are far too big for this little sofa. Let’s find a bed.”
I’ve taken a million women, and never in all my time have I felt this explosion in my chest, a bewildering sense of another so immense my core shakes, trembling before the highest power.
He rose, lifting h
er body and carrying her to bed as the emotion quaked through him, unbending millenniums of false truths, arrogance, and selfish presumption. He lay her on the bed and knelt before her.
“Sylvia. My essence implodes before you. I know love for the first time, and its power swamps me. I, who knew everything, know nothing in love’s presence.”
“Rafi, you are different. Better. My heart seeks yours.”
Rafi rose, dropping his jeans and shirt and pulling her shorts and panties off in one easy motion, holding her close to him as he lay down. He floated with her, drowning and saved, lost in love’s salvation.
He explored her skin with his mouth, memorizing every rising goosebump, the shape and straining need of each taut nipple. His tongue slowed, tasting the ridges and valleys of her areolas, before closing in a hard, surprising suck on the stiffened tips, smiling into them as her back arched and her hips moved.
His hands ran down her body with a slow, sensuous grip. He flung her leg over his knee and began a lazy takeover of her flower, separating each petal, enjoying her heat and flow seeping out to greet him. His agonizing yet gentle massage of her clitoris, beginning at the base and sliding up to brush the sensitive tip, maintaining a soft touch as she ground, eyes the blue of September skies, growing sightless as he teased her forward.
Sylvia’s mind left her, pleasure swamping her in endless waves. Rafi watched, memorizing every shudder, holding on to each small gasp and cry, wanting nothing more than this, forever. As she came back to him, her blue seas lifting him into her heart, he began again, penetrating her deeply with his fingers, punching her G-spot with persistent pressure, holding the space between enough and too much with instinctive balance. She twisted, desire rolling over her, sweat covering her body in the blue sheen he’d seen before. Rafi held her close, covering himself in her blue desire, as his pounding fingers tipped her, with a small shriek of joy, over the edge.
He rested while she pulsed around his fingers before easing them from within.
Swimming for Air Page 7
